Sampoorna Mahabharata • సంపూర్ణ శ్రీమహాభారతము • Episode 826

Episode 826: The war

“Your head fills the entire sky. Your arms extend throughout the earth. The 3 worlds are in Your stomach. You are the eternal Purusha. Humans purified by penance understand You in this way. The Self-realized sages praise You as the Supreme One. O Madhusudana! You are the refuge of the noble kings, who never turn back in battle, and who are foremost in all dharmas”- prayed Sanatkumara.

O Duryodhana! I have explained Keshava’s true nature, in detail and in brief. Therefore, joyfully worship Krishna”- said Bhishma.

Duryodhana began to regard Krishna and the Pandavas as great. Then Bhishma said, “O King! Arjuna is Nara. I told you the purpose for which sages Nara and Narayana were born among humans, and why they can never be defeated or killed in battle. Now make peace with the strong Pandavas. Together with them, enjoy this earth. Otherwise, you will perish at the hands of Nara and Narayana”.

He sent Duryodhana away and slept. Duryodhana went to his tent and slept. The next morning at sunrise, both armies made their battle formations. Bhishma created the crocodile formation while Dharmaraja created the hawk formation, which was impossible to defeat.

With arrows Bhima attacked Bhishma. Then Bhishma released great weapons. Arjuna swiftly shot 1000 arrows and wounded Bhishma & shattered his weapons.

Then Duryodhana remembered the deaths of his brothers & said to Drona, “O Acharya! You always desire my welfare. We have taken refuge in you and in grandsire Bhishma. How long will it take to defeat these weak Pandavas who lack valour? Kill them”.

Drona sighed deeply in anger & said, “You are a fool. You do not know their valour. It is not easy to defeat them. I am indeed fighting in tune with my strength and capability”.

He then attacked the Pandava army & dispersed them. Satyaki obstructed him. A terrible battle ensued. Drona angrily laughed and struck Satyaki on the collar bone with sharp arrows. Bhima became furious and, protecting Satyaki, wounded Drona. Then Drona, Bhishma, and Shalya together covered Bhima with arrows. Seeing this Abhimanyu was angered. Together with the Upapandavas, he wounded them with arrows.

The angered Drona and Bhishma advanced forward, but Shikhandi opposed them & showered arrows. Bhishma saw Shikhandi and moved aside. Provoked by your son, Drona rushed to protect Bhishma. Seeing Drona the frightened Shikhandi moved aside.

Bhishma wanted to free your sons from the fear of Bhima. He fought exceedingly fiercely with Bhima. In the forenoon a terrible battle took place. Many important warriors died. Heads were falling like stones raining from the sky. The battlefield became covered with bows and corpses.

Arjuna saw his brothers and other kings fighting with Bhishma. At once he attacked Bhishma. Our warriors heard the Panchajanya conch & twang of the Gandiva & trembled. From every side he attacked Bhishma. Your warriors lost their sense of direction. Everyone lost consciousness. At that time, Bhishma alone became their protector.

The Kamboja-king arrived with fast-running horses & thousands of troops. Kalinga-king came with heroes from Madra, Sauvīra, Gandhāra, and Trigarta, & Kalinga. Jayadratha came with various infantry forces led by Dushshasana. 14000 elite horsemen stood around Shakuni. Then all your warriors simultaneously shot arrows on Arjuna.

On the Pandava side, Chedi and Kāśi kings & their armies led by Dhrishtadyumna opposed your forces.

Avanti-king fought with the Kashi king. Bhima battled the Saindhava. Yudhishthira faced Shalya along with his sons and ministers. Vikarna confronted Sahadeva. Chitrasena fought with Shikhandi. Duryodhana and Shakuni fought with the Matsya warriors. Drupada, Satyaki and Chekitana fought with Drona. Ashwatthama stayed with Drona. Kripa and Kritavarma chased Drṣṭadyumna.

King Virata & Shikhandi attacked Bhishma. Arjuna struck the mighty Drona, Kripa, Vikarna, and many other heroic kings. Elsewhere, Bhima, along with ministers and relatives, attacked Saindhava, Duryodhana, Dussaha & kings from western and southern regions.

Sahadeva attacked Shakuni and his son Uluka. Yudhishthira attacked the enemy’s elephant divisions. Nakula fought with the Trigarta armies. Satyaki, Chekitana, and the angry Abhimanyu attacked the armies of Shalva and Kekaya.

Dhrishtaketu, Ghatotkacha, and Nakula’s son Shatanika attacked your sons’ chariot division. Dhrishtadyumna fought with Drona.

At midday Bhishma wounded Bhima. The furious Bhima hurled a powerful spear which Bhishma shattered. He cut Bhima’s bow into two. Bhima took up another one and quickly shot many arrows, wounding Bhishma. Satyaki arrived swiftly and wounded Bhishma. Bhishma killed Satyaki’s charioteer.

Bhishma destroyed the Pandava army. The Panchalas and the Somakas attacked him. Then the Kauravas led by Bhishma and Drona attacked the Pandavas. A dreadful battle followed.